We have been following the 3rd arcade installment of Mario Kart since it was first shown in Japan in 2013. Since then, a US version was released and various online updates were offered for the units to refresh the game and bring players back to it. Today, Bandai Namco announced the “final” online update to the US version so let’s break it down:

The Mario Kart Arcade GP DX December 2016 Update

If you have been a location that owns the game, then you already knew that it required an online connection to operate. That connection also carried with it a monthly fee per seat. So all units as long as they are on and operating will be able to get the update. It rolls out on Dec. 21st 2016 at 9AM JST (Japan Standard Time). The Revision should then read 1.06/OF.

A major change that occurs with this update is that the game will no longer require an internet connection to operate. We have been hearing about “offline” Mario Kart units for a while now so this will effectively make all of them Offline/Online capable. That is also good news for those who wanted to get a unit for their home (I know there are a few of you out there).

This update also will include new content, summed up by this image here:

For the two new courses, those have been available for Japanese MKGPDX units for a while now – here’s Pac-Man Stadium and if you want to see the Namco Circuit preview, click here. The tracks should be the same, just with certain text in English as opposed to Japanese.

Other Changes

The email also mentions the following:

-Team Battle Mode is being removed from the game

-Free play will be selectable

-“Other in-game performance improvements have also been made.”

The update will take about 30 minutes to download (connection dependent of course) and restart the game 3 times during the process.

5 Comments »

I am a huge fan of Mario Kart GP DX. I have played over 400 games here in Japan, with over 30 hours worth of gameplay on my youtube channel.

It’s good to hear that the U.S. version is finally getting an update. It’s sad to hear that the U.S. version is getting cut short 2 years worth of updates.. I have talked to some people here in Japan and they have assured me come April that the Japanese version will receive it’s 4th update.

Just for some more information, the Hamburger car was originally released in Japan with there April 2016 Mario Kart magazine. Basically it came with a nice book, DVD using all the items, the code for the Hamburger car and Raccoon Mario.

It’s a shame they are not adding in Raccoon Mario with the last and finally release for the American version.

If Japan is going to continue on updates while the US version doesn’t, maybe a US styled new Mario Kart is happening. Considering Cruis’n Blast, I wonder if Raw Thrills will have some involvement in making a new arcade version of Mario Kart (heck, maybe just make Nintendo develop the game and RT distribute it, tweak it a bit, and design the cabinet).

Leaves me wondering if I should hold off on purchasing the dx’s now if they will be releasing something new for the stateside.20k stickershock plus the final upgrade status of this title coupled with the possibilty of a new release has me on the fence although I need a new set of drivers for this fall in my arcade.Tough!